Ryder Cup 2012: Martin Kaymer holds nerve to hole crucial eight-foot putt and complete Europe fightback - Telegraph Ryder Cup Ryder Cup 2012: Martin Kaymer holds nerve to hole crucial eight-foot putt and complete Europe fightback The Germans never miss a crucial penalty, so perhaps we ought not to have been surprised when Martin Kaymer’s eight-foot putt deviated not a millimetre en route to the centre of the cup. Match winner: Martin Kaymer held his nerve to make the crucial putt on the 18th which ensured Europe retained the Ryder Cup Photo: REUTERS By Oliver Brown , Medinah 8:07AM BST 01 Oct 2012 The man from Dusseldorf, not that you would have known it amid last night’s tumult as he retained the Ryder Cup for Europe, has endured a ragged season. But when it came to striking the decisive blow for his team, he was Teutonic cool personified. “It’s a feeling I’ve never had before,” Kaymer said, after every one of his team-mates had engulfed him in the pandemonium.

It was also the opposite of the feeling that Bernhard Langer, the one other golfer from Germany whom the fairweather fan could name, had experienced at Kiawah Island in 1991. Where Langer had famously missed the putt that handed the United States victory in the war on the South Carolina shore 21 years ago, Kaymer held firm in the mayhem of Medinah. “On Friday I had sat down with Bernhard and talked to him a little bit about the Ryder Cup, because my attitude wasn’t the right one,” Kaymer explained. “By now, after that match today against Steve Stricker, I know how important the Ryder Cup became and still is for Olazábal. Bernhard helped me so much just to talk to me about it.” Kaymer is already a major champion, having won the US PGA at Whistling Straits in 2010, but this achievement under maximum strain brought a whole different level of ecstasy. “The major win was just for myself, but I could see the guys behind me,” he said of the critical moment on the final green.

Related Articles McIlroy almost misses tee time 30 Sep 2012 “My brother was here, my father was here, and then Sergio Garcia ran on to the green. It means so much more when they are all standing behind me. Now I know how it really feels to win a Ryder Cup.” So animated was Kaymer, usually a figure of little outward emotion, that he forgot to shake opponent Stricker’s hand as he drained the putt and fell headlong into the embrace from the rest of a jubilant European team. Stricker, though, could not help but praise his opponent’s effort. “Martin played well, and I just didn’t put enough pressure on him to get it done.” To think, Kaymer had given the impression of being the makeweight of this European team. Clearly nervous after his wobbles during the 2012 campaign, he had contributed not a single birdie during his Friday fourballs defeat alongside Justin Rose and was not used by Olazábal in either of the second day’s sessions. The Europe captain had even joked, when pressed on the German’s poor form, that the team would need to find ways to relax him.

An eight-footer to retain team golf’s greatest prize was not the classic moment of relaxation. But Kaymer maintained his composure when all watching were gasping for air amid an atmosphere thick with tension. A former world No 1 as recently as two years ago, he had not forgotten how to win, and showed as much with this consummate demonstration of nerve. Kaymer’s position at No 11 in the singles order was not an expression of confidence from Olazábal, who had sent all his leading player’s out first to erase the Europeans’ four-point deficit. Most expected him to be playing an irrelevant match once the day’s drama was done, and a United States victory was assured. And yet he found himself as the central player in a quite unforgettable evening’s theatre. It took him until the ninth hole to establish a lead over Stricker, and from there the balance of the match oscillated constantly. Stricker rediscovered how to putt again at the par-five 15th, taking the contest all-square into the 16th, but as Kaymer claimed the honours at the short 17 th with a par he held an advantage he refused to relinquish.

An errant drive up the 18th, which ended in a fairway bunker, threatened to ruffle him but still Kaymer found the green with his second – almost miraculous in the circumstances. Suddenly, as Stricker faltered, he had two putts to retain the Cup. He miscued badly on the first of them, misreading the downhill gradient as the ball sailed eight feet past. But on the second, quite amazingly, the German came good to seize glory. Ryder Cup 2012: Europe beat USA after record comeback - BBC Sport BBC Sport Ryder Cup 2012: Europe beat USA after record comeback By Tom Fordyce Chief sports writer at Medinah Country Club, Chicago 1 Oct 2012 Read more about sharing. Europe produced a stunning final-day comeback to win the Ryder Cup at a shell-shocked Medinah. The United States required only four-and-a-half points from the 12 on offer, but the Europeans secured eight and a half to clinch a historic 14½-13½ win.

Singles results USA 13½-14½ Europe Watson lost to Donald 2&1 Simpson lost to Poulter 2 up Bradley lost to McIlroy 2&1 Mickelson lost to Rose 1 up Snedeker lost to Lawrie 5&3 D Johnson beat Colsaerts 3&2 Z Johnson beat McDowell 2&1 Furyk lost to Garcia 1 up Dufner beat Hanson 2 up Kuchar lost to Westwood 3&2 Stricker lost to Kaymer 1 up Woods halved with Molinari Martin Kaymer sank a five-foot putt on the 18th green to get his team to the 14 points needed to retain the trophy. Then a Tiger Woods bogey on the final green of the final match gifted Jose Maria Olazabal's side overall victory. The victorious European captain said: "To the 12 men of Europe, what you did out there was outstanding. All men die but not all men live and you made me feel alive again this week.

"I don't know how heaven feels, but it must be close to this." The win matches the record recovery of Ben Crenshaw's US team in Boston in 1999 and is the best from a European side in the Ryder Cup. It was a fitting tribute to the late Seve Ballesteros, the man who did so much to reinvigorate the competition and whose trademark navy blue and white the side wore on the final day in Chicago. "Seve will always be present with this team," said fellow Spaniard Olazabal. "He was a big factor for this event, for the European side. Last night, when we were having a meeting, I think the boys understood that believing was the most important thing. And I think they did." Kaymer held his nerve in the penultimate singles match to beat Steve Stricker, having been given some simple guidance from Olazabal. He said: "Jose Maria told me: 'We need your point. I don't care how you do it, just deliver.' But I like those, it was straightforward. That is the way we Germans are.

Fortunately, I could handle it and I made the last putt." The German's putt was the high point of an afternoon of scarcely believable drama where Europe first clawed back their overnight deficit of four points and then matched their opponents point for nerve-shredding point.

How Europeans fared at Medinah I Poulter: Played 4 Won 4 Lost 0 R McIlroy: Played 5 Won 3 Lost 2 J Rose: Played 5 Won 3 Lost 2 L Donald: Played 4 Won 2 Lost 2 S Garcia: Played 4 Won 2 Lost 2 L Westwood: Played 4 Won 2 Lost 2 M Kaymer: Played 2 Won 1 Lost 1 P Lawrie: Played 3 Won 1 Lost 2 N Colsaerts: Played 4 Won 1 Lost 3 G McDowell: Played 4 Won 1 Lost 3 F Molinari: Played 3 Won 0 Lost 2 Halved 1 P Hanson: Played 2 Won 0 Lost 2 Blows were traded down the stretch, one side grabbing the initiative before the other snatched it back, until it came down to the last two matches on the final two holes. Both were all-square, with overall score locked at 13-13. When Steve Stricker three-putted on the 17th, Kaymer had a one-hole lead.

The German then made a brilliant approach from a bunker on 18, rolling home the pivotal putt as Stricker crumbled under the pressure. It was left to Italian Molinari to seal overall victory, when he halved his match with Woods. "When I knew I was coming out last, I was really happy because I knew the guys would do a great job and it would come down to the last matches," he said. "Martin did a great job and I just fought as hard as I could to get that last point." For the first time in three days, Europe had come charging out of the traps, Luke Donald going into an early two-hole lead over Bubba Watson and muting both his opponent and the crowd in the process. With Justin Rose also two up on Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy holding off the previously unbeatable Keegan Bradley and the unheralded Paul Lawrie taking early control against Brandt Snedeker, there was an entirely different atmosphere around the course than there had been on the first two one-sided days. Donald had been asked to do what Colin Montgomerie had done in 2004 and win the first point of the day in style.

And he did so on the 17th despite a late charge from Watson. "At the death, it ended only one way - with Olazabal's men standing tall while American captain Davis Love's much-vaunted home-boys crumbled and broke." Read the rest of Tom's verdict McIlroy's day had begun in extraordinary fashion, confusion over his tee time meaning he was still at the team hotel with just 25 minutes to go. Thanks to a police escort, he eventually reached the course 10 minutes before he was due to tee off. His battle with Bradley was a see-saw classic, but he got his nose in front on the 14th and went two up on the 15th before closing out with a long putt on 17. Poulter has been brilliant all week and made it four wins out of four in typically indomitable fashion against Webb Simpson. Poulter had gone two holes down early and only went in front for the first time on par-three 17th when Simpson finally cracked under the enormous pressure and stuffed his tee-shot into the bunker left.

Simpson then pulled his iron approach to the 18th while Poulter fired his from out in the oak trees to 13 feet. When the American's desperate long putt sailed way past, Europe had their third point in three. Team Europe hold aloft their winning captain Jose Maria Olazabal. A week after winning £6m at the Fed-Ex Cup, Snedeker was clobbered 5&3 by Lawrie, but Rose's triumph over the previously unbeaten Mickelson was more remarkable. One down on 16, he nailed a nerveless putt to half the hole and then produced a wonderful 30-footer on the sliding 17th to go all square. Mickelson, magnanimous, grinned his approval, but then slashed his approach to 18th over the back and watched aghast as Rose clipped his to 15 feet and then curved in a stunning birdie for the match. The points kept coming for Europe. Jim Furyk collapsed from the same position against Sergio Garcia by pushing two six-foot putts right.

Then, after Zach Johnson held off a tired Graeme McDowell, Lee Westwood found his form to beat Matt Kuchar 3&2 and put Europe 13-12 up. It was peerless sporting theatre, the sun-drenched autumnal course awash with excitement. When Jason Dufner held his nerve to see out Peter Hanson two up on the 18th, the score was level again at 13-13 with just two matches, both all-square, left on the course. None of the four players still in action - Kaymer, Stricker, Francesco Molinari and Woods - had won a single point between them all week. Analysis "Europe have not only retained the Ryder Cup, they've won! They've won! One of the epic days in Ryder Cup history. Somehow Europe have found a way. That is the comeback to end all come-backs, and in hostile territory. Somewhere Seve Ballesteros, the patron saint of lost causes, is smiling down. His apprentice Ollie has done it.

Kaymer's nerve held." Stricker broke first, making a dreadful mess of his putts on 17 and then booming his approach to 18 long, while Kaymer conjured up a beauty from the fairway bunker. With Woods going one up on Molinari on 17, Kaymer had two putts for the Cup. And he somehow held his nerve as the shadows lengthened to seal an extraordinary triumph. With the packed home galleries silent with disbelief, a dazed Woods then blew two putts from within eight feet to hand Molinari a half point and with it overall victory to the Europeans. "The boys understood that believing was the most important thing and they did," said Olazabal. US captain David Love admitted defeat was hard to take and compared it to the loss Europe suffered at Brookline in 1999. "We know what it feels like now," he said. "It's a little bit shocking. We were playing so well." The Ryder Cup returns from 26 to 28 September 2014 at Gleneagles.

USA 13½-14½ Europe Singles matches: Watson lost to Donald 2&1 Simpson lost to Poulter 2 up Bradley lost to McIlroy 2&1 Mickelson lost to Rose 1 up Snedeker lost to Lawrie 5&3 D Johnson beat Colsaerts 3&2 Z Johnson beat McDowell 2&1 Furyk lost to Garcia 1 up Dufner beat Hanson 2 up Kuchar lost to Westwood 3&2 Stricker lost to Kaymer 1 up Woods halved with Molinari Ryder Cup Celebrations | Golf.com © 2014 Ti Golf Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Ryder Cup Celebrations What happens when you win a Ryder Cup? You celebrate like crazy. Here are some of the best shots of victory celebrations from over the years. View Gallery Next Europe team captain Paul McGinley receives a dousing from his team after winning the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. Team Europe, donning their respective countries' flags, pose with the Ryder Cup after a securing the 16 1/2 - 11 1/2 victory over the Americans.

Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter celebrate winning the 2014 Ryder Cup. Jamie Donaldson, who's stellar approach on the 15th hole secured the victory for Team Europe, poses with the Ryder Cup. Martin Kaymer jumped into Sergio Garcia's arms moments after sinking the 6-foot putt that clinched the Ryder Cup for Europe. Sergio Garcia found plenty of fans to celebrate with him. Europe rallied from a 10-6 Sunday deficit to stun the U.S. at Medinah. It was Europe's fifth win in the past six Ryder Cups. Graeme McDowell and captain Colin Montgomerie celebrated the Europeans' 14 1/2 - 13 1/2 victory over the Americans at Celtic Manor in Wales. Ian Poulter, arguably the heart and soul of the European team, thoroughly enjoyed the festivities. Fans at Celtic Manor charged the 17th green in celebration after Hunter Mahan conceded the final match to Graeme McDowell. The crowds at Celtic Manor rooted for Team Europe all week long and celebrated with the team afterward. The European team then celebrated with the Cup.

The entire 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup team celebrated its 16 1/2 to 11 1/2 victory over the European side on a balcony at the Valhalla clubhouse. U.S. Captain Paul Azinger lead the team to an inspiring triumph&#151;the first for the Americans in nine years. The U.S. Team was energized by four Ryder Cup rookies&#151;Boo Weekley, J.B. Holmes, Hunter Mahan and Anthony Kim&#151;who overwhelmed their European rivals. Anthony Kim, who went 2-1-1 in his first Ryder Cup, doused the American fans in Kentucky with champagne. Boo Weekley received lots of support from the fans and was congratulated at the celebration with a beer dousing from Captain Azinger. Darren Clarke sprayed Lee Westwood after Europe won its third consecutive Ryder Cup 18 1/2 - 9 1/2. From left: Paul Casey's girlfriend, Jocelyn Hefner; Luke Donald's fiancee, Diane Antonopoulos; and Morgan Norman, Greg's daughter, who was dating Sergio Garcia at the time.

Captain Ian Woosnam joined in the celebration. Clarke made sure not all of the champagne went to waste. Clarke knocked down a glass of Guinness during the celebration. Thomas Levet joined the European fans in celebrating his team's drubbing of the U.S. at Oakland Hills in Detroit. Bernhard Langer captained the Europeans to victory. Ian Poulter's son curled up next to the Ryder Cup on the team's plane. Paul McGinley sank the winning putt to clinch Europe's three-point win over the U.S. McGinley was then thrown into a lake by his teammates. Sergio Garcia jumped for joy after McGinley holed the winning putt. European captain Sam Torrance was drenched in champagne during the celebration. The U.S. won when Justin Leonard made his miraculous 45-foot putt in Brookline. Tiger Woods and Mark O'Meara let loose after the U.S. mounted a huge comeback on the final day. On Saturday night, captain Ben Crenshaw said he had a special feeling about Sunday's singles matches. He was right.

Previous Ryder Cup 2012: Europe completes monster comeback to retain title | Other Sports | Sporting News Ryder Cup 2012: Europe completes monster comeback to retain title SPORT September 30, 2012 7:17pm EDT September 30, 2012 6:08pm EDT Martin Kaymer delivers the winning putt for Europe, assuring it retains the Ryder Cup with a stunning comeback. Up four points entering the final day's single competitions, America's best golfers fall flat. Staff report Published on Sep. 30, 2012 Sep. 30, 2012 Europe made a staggering comeback Sunday to win the Ryder Cup, rallying from four points down in singles play in competition that wasn't determined until the final two pairs. Martin Kaymer of Germany sank the winning putt on the 18th hole to secure the victory — in reality, the 14th point in the competition that saw the Europeans assure themselves of a tie that allowed them to retain the championship. With it, Europe completed one of the greatest comebacks in Ryder Cup history.

All that remained was the day's final pair, and Tiger Woods halved it with Italy's Francesco Molinari. As they walked off the course, Molinari joined his teammates in celebration of a 14½-13½ triumph. "The colossal collapse in Chicago," NBC's Johnny Miller said on the air after Kaymer won his match. — Tears of joy for Europeans | Complete list of Ryder Cup results | Final leaderboard | McIlroy arrives late, then rolls to victory The tournament at Medinah Country Club's No. 3 course near Chicago turned into a nail-biter as some of America's best and brightest succumbed to their competitors. Steve Stricker lost the 17th hole and gave Kaymer a one-hole lead and a chance to seal victory for Europe. He did on the 18th hole. Woods was left on the course with a meaningless final pairing against Molinari. It was a frustrating day for Woods, who missed several putts. It was just as grisly for the Americans, who couldn't hold leads against stubborn Europeans. The Yanks didn't deliver on Sunday. The Europeans set the pace with winning the first five matches.

It was the Americans' inability to close out matches on the 17th and 18th holes that did them in. Several matches were square entering those holes. Europeans proved superior with victory on the line in nearly every case. Phil Mickelson couldn't hold off Justin Rose, who birdied 18 to win their match. Sergio Garcia rallied to top Jim Furyk, who was left stunned when he lost.

Final scores: Justin Rose (E) defeated Phil Mickelson (U.S.) 1-up Ian Poulter (E) defeated Webb Simpson (U.S.) 2-up Luke Donald (E) defeated Bubba Watson (U.S.) 2-and-1 Rory McIlroy (E) defeated Keegan Bradley (U.S.) 2-and-1 Dustin Johnson defeated Nicolas Colsaerts (E) 3-and-2 Paul Lawrie (E) defeated Brandt Snedeker (U.S.) 5-and-3 Zach Johnson (U.S.) defeated Graeme McDowell (E) 2-and-1 Lee Westwood (E) defeated Matt Kuchar (U.S.) 3-and-2 Sergio Garcia (E) defeated Jim Furyk (U.S.) 1-up Justin Dufner (U.S.) defeated Peter Hanson (E) 2-up Martin Kaymer (E) defeated Steve Stricker (U.S.) 1-up Tiger Woods (U.S.) halved with Francesco Molinari (E) Final score: Europe 14½, United States 13½ Full leaderboard | McIlroy arrives late, then rolls to victory | Luke Donald sets stage for Europe Kaymer delivered the crucial

 14th point with a 1-up victory over Stricker.

When Kaymer rolled in the 6-foot putt to clinch the match Sunday, he threw up his arms in triumph and shook his fists. His teammates, surrounding the green, roared and grabbed anyone within reach for a hug. European captain Jose Maria Olazabal, watching from the middle of the fairway, closed his eyes and looked skyward. It was a shocking finish for the Americans, who were poised to win the Ryder Cup for only the third time since 1999 after taking a 10-4 lead midway through Saturday afternoon's matches. But the Europeans rallied to win the final two, and then built on the lead by winning the first five matches Sunday. Ryder Cup: Epic Ryder Cup collapse on home turf inexcusable - tribunedigital-chicagotribune Epic Ryder Cup collapse on home turf inexcusable U.S. meltdown at Medinah worse than Europe's 1999 fade at Brookline September 30, 2012|David Haugh's In the Wake of the News If the most epic Ryder Cup collapse ever ended at 5:09 p.m.

Sunday at Medinah when Team Europe golfer Martin Kaymer sank a 6-foot putt on the 18th hole, it started in earnest about two hours earlier. Phil Mickelson, in the midst of a historic weekend, led Justin Rose 1 up with two holes left. Mickelson reacted as pleased as the rest of American golf fans when he nearly chipped in for birdie. But then Rose dropped a hole-winning, 30-foot birdie putt so impressive even Mickelson applauded with a smile. Chicago sports fans are used to seeing a Rose hit big shots, but not like this. This one gave the European team its biggest reason yet to agree with captain Jose Maria Olazabal, who said Saturday night he still believed it could stage a historic comeback. When Rose followed with another birdie on 18 to beat the United States' most experienced Ryder Cup player ever for the Europeans' fourth of five straight match victories, suddenly anything seemed possible. It turns out anything was: Europe 141/2, United States 131/2. "It's a feeling I've never had before,'' Kaymer said as euphoric European fans hugged and danced and sang "Ole! Ole! Ole!

Ole!'' Europeans forever will refer to one of the greatest sporting events Chicago has staged as the Miracle at Medinah. But to the U.S. team, the world-class country club in DuPage County that did a wonderful job hosting a tournament that quickly turned nightmarish always will be Medin-ahhhhhhhhhh! Not since the Ryder Cup began in 1927 has a U.S. team lost more than a two-point advantage on the final day. "We really did want to believe, but we had no illusions how hard this was going to be,'' Rose said. "We are in shock.'' The blank expression on U.S. captain Davis Love III said the same thing no matter what came out of his mouth. In 1999, Love belonged to the U.S. team that overcame a 10-6 deficit on the final day at Brookline, Mass. Statistically, Europe's rally matched that one 13 years ago but surpassed it in magnitude. They did it playing in a hostile environment after showing no signs of life until the Americans led 10-4. They did it for Seve.

Sunday's inspiration came from Seve Ballesteros, the late, great Spaniard who died last year from brain cancer. European players dressed in navy sweaters and trousers with a white shirt like Ballesteros used to wear. They wore a silhouette of him on their left shirt sleeves. "I have no doubt in my mind that he was with me today,'' said Spaniard Sergio Garcia, who beat Jim Furyk 1 up in one of the day's most pivotal matches. "There's no chance I would have won if he wasn't.'' At the opening ceremony Thursday, Olazabal's eyes moistened when somebody described Ballesteros as Europe's "heartbeat.'' On Saturday, a skywriter delivered in white smoke the same message Olazabal did later at a team meeting: "DO IT FOR SEVE.'' On Sunday, the Europeans found a way with flair Ballesteros would have appreciated. "They knew how much it meant to me,'' Olazabal said. What it means for Love will be justifiable second-guessing. History will say Olazabal outcoached him by stacking the early Sunday lineup with stars to establish momentum. It worked when all four won.

Of Love's four captain's picks, only Dustin Johnson paid off when it mattered most. Brandt Snedeker lost to Paul Lawrie 5 and 3. Steve Stricker and Furyk, added for their putting, blew key putts. "No, I wouldn't have done anything different,'' Love said. In pro shops everywhere, they scoffed. Furyk stood over an 8-foot putt to save par on No. 18 long enough to look nervous and missed to make Garcia a winner. Stricker supplied his Scott Norwood moment when his 7-foot putt on No. 17 spun out to give Kaymer a 1-up lead he would protect for posterity. "I am disappointed that I let 11 other players down and the captains,'' said Stricker, who was pointless this weekend in more ways than one. Yet Stricker was only a half-point behind Tiger Woods , who capped another forgettable Ryder Cup by halving his match with Francesco Molinari, whoever he is. To think everything looked so good early for the United States when Rory McIlroy got to the course 10 minutes before his round because of confusion over Chicago's time zone. Those who called that an omen were right.

McIlroy quickly composed himself to cool off Keegan Bradley 2 and 1 — his dramatic arrival better late than never, just like the repeat Ryder Cup champions. "We're all kind of stunned,'' Love said. They only have the rest of their careers to get over it. 2012 Ryder Cup: Europe Stuns U.S. at Medinah 2012 Ryder Cup: Europe Stuns U.S. at Medinah 2012 Ryder Cup: Europe Stuns U.S. at Medinah By Rob Doster , 9/30/12, 5:00 PM EDT Comeback for the Ages Allows Europe to Retain Cup Miracle at Medinah? Or Medinah Meltdown? Whatever you call it, this 2012 Ryder Cup is going to sting the U.S. for awhile. When Martin Kaymer's 6-foot par putt found the bottom of the cup at 18 for a 1-up win over Steve Stricker in the weekend's penultimate match, Europe had clinched a 14-14 tie and retention of the Cup, no matter the outcome of the Tiger Woods-Francesco Molinari match still on the course.

To rub salt into the wound, Woods conceded a putt 18 to fall into a halve with Molinari, giving the Euros a 14 1/2 to 13 1/2 win. And what had once looked like a likely U.S. rout had morphed into a shocking European triumph on American soil before a highly charged, partisan crowd that left more deflated than a post-Thanksgiving Snoopy balloon. Captains Davis Love III and Jose Maria Olazabal had saved their losers for last; the final four players on the course entered the day a combined 0-9 in their 2012 matches. Shockingly, the Cup was eventually in the hands of those very players. Martin Kaymer, whose game had been in disarray coming into these matches, was up to the task, while Stricker capped a crushingly bad weekend with another late meltdown. And the Cup belongs to Europe for another two years. "It’s been a tough week," said an emotional Olazabal, who inspired his team with constant reminders of Ryder Cup legend Seve Ballesteros, who died in 2011. "The first two days nothing went our way.

We struggled on the greens, and this morning I felt a little change in that regard, and we started to make a few putts. The Americans just started to miss them. And winning those (first) few matches, that was key. "This means a lot. This is for the whole of Europe." If you're looking for heroes, there were plenty on the Euro side. Any unofficial MVP award would go to Ian Poulter, who arrived at Medinah on a mission and then went 4-0. His birdie binge in Saturday's final fourball match gave Europe a critical point and a glimmer of hope heading into Sunday, and his 2-up singles win over Webb Simpson was a key catalyst in Europe's early singles charge. Looking for goats? There were enough on the American team to populate a small farm on a Sunday that saw Europe win 8.5 of a possible 12 points. Before Europe clinched, there was plenty of clenching on the U.S. side. Both Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk stood on the 17th tee 1-up in their matches, but neither earned so much as a half-point, losing their matches to Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia, respectively.

Furyk, one of Love's captain's picks, missed a testy par putt on 18 that would have salvaged a critical half-point against Garcia; instead, he became the third American to lose both 17 and 18 to cost his team points. Mickelson fell victim to a little Euro magic, as Rose drained an improbable bomb at 17 and then birdied 18 to snatch a full point away from Lefty, who had been so solid all weekend and entered singles with a 3-0 match record. In a role reversal from the 1999 Miracle at Brookline, the U.S. team entered singles play with a seemingly insurmountable 10-6 lead, then watched a flurry of early match wins from the Europeans, who took the day's first five matches. Phil Mickelson, whose Ryder Cup travails had represented a black mark on his career resume, and Keegan Bradley had helped stake the Americans to that lead with three emotion-charged points in foursomes and fourballs, but their deflating losses in singles opened the door for the Euros.

Mickelson's loss to Justin Rose was a particularly stunning turn, as Rose's birdie-birdie finish, spurred by that monster putt at 17 that echoed Justin Leonard's bomb at Brookline in 1999, erased what seemed a sure U.S. point. World No. 1 Rory McIlroy took down the feisty Bradley, who provided many electric moments over the three days while proving an undeniable irritant to the Euros with his eccentric mannerisms and effusive celebrations. But on this shocking, deflating day, the biggest celebrations belonged to the Europeans. Biggest surprises • Jason Dufner may be carrying some extra flab, but the guy was a rock for the U.S. at Medinah. Duf and Zach Johnson earned two critical points as an untouchable foursomes partnership, and Dufner was the best U.S. performer in singles play, beating Peter Hanson on the strength of two front-9 eagles. Johnson was another bulldog for the American side, beating Graeme McDowell in singles and posting a 3-1 record.

• Dustin Johnson performed the best of Love's captain's picks, going 3-0 and earning a singles win over Friday star Nicolas Colsaerts. He was the only American not to taste defeat for the weekend. The fact that he appeared only three times will subject Love to some second-guessing. Biggest disappointments • Woods entered his singles match against Francesco Molinari with an 0-3 record in the 2012 Cup and left 0-3-1, but that number is a little deceiving. In his foursomes and fourball matches, Woods had a dead elephant named Steve Stricker on his back. Stricker was picked for his putter, but that short-stick magic was lacking at Medinah. • Brandt Snedeker obviously had a FedExCup hangover; the newly minted Cup champion was surprisingly ineffective at Medinah.

Partner Jim Furyk bailed him out in their foursomes match win over Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell on Saturday morning, but Sneds' wild tee shot cost them at least a halve in their Friday foursomes match, and he was never in his singles match with Paul Lawrie despite being a heavy favorite over one of Europe's lesser lights. Snedeker had played 10 out 11 weeks in his pursuit of the FedExCup, and fatigue caught up with him this week. • The captain gets too much credit and too much blame in these matches, but Love's captain's picks combined to go 5-8-0, and he seemed powerless to stop the bleeding on Sunday. • 2010 Ryder Cup hero Graeme McDowell never got the hang of the speed of the Medinah greens in going 1-3 for the weekend. • Much like the play on the course, NBC's coverage was hit-and-miss. There were an unforgivable number of technical glitches, especially on Saturday, and an irritating number of commercials and other interruptions in the action on the course.

Much of the commentary was spot-on, although Johnny Miller's sniping shtick from the comfort of the booth is starting to wear thin. Colin Montgomerie provided some honest Euro perspective; a little homerism is fine, and he's earned the right to indulge in it with his spectacular Ryder Cup record. His squeaky, high-pitched voice doesn't exactly defuse his "Mrs. Doubtfire" nickname, though. Singles Results Sky Sports turns 25: Remembering Europe's 'Miracle at Medinah' | Golf News | Sky Sports Sky Sports turns 25: Remembering Europe's 'Miracle at Medinah' Last Updated: 24/04/16 11:47pm Watch the best of the action from the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah. We continue to celebrate Sky Sports' 25th birthday this week, by looking back at some of the most memorable moments from the last quarter of a century. One highlight was Europe staging the greatest fightback in Ryder Cup history to retain the trophy with a one-point victory at Medinah.

The United States started Sunday's singles needing just four-and-a-half points to reclaim the trophy, but Europe's heroes won eight of the 12 matches and halved the last to leave the home team shell-shocked. Martin Kaymer holed the putt which saw Europe retain the trophy Luke Donald set the tone for the day with victory over Bubba Watson in the opening match, and Europe won the next four to turn the scoreboards into a sea of blue. It was Martin Kaymer who collected the crucial 14th point when he held his nerve to sink a knee-knocking six-foot putt to secure a one-up victory over luckless veteran Steve Stricker. The 39th contest looked set to end 14-14 with Francesco Molinari one down after 17 to Tiger Woods, who then missed a three-footer for par and generously conceded the hole to the Italian - the only halved match of the week. Donald's 2&1 win over the Masters champion was swiftly followed by a crushing 5&3 victory for Paul Lawrie over FedEx Cup champion Brandt Snedeker.

Poulter on song again Ian Poulter then claimed a remarkable 12th win from 15 Ryder Cup matches when he edged out Webb Simpson on the last. Poulter's putt late on Saturday kept Europe's hopes alive Poulter had rescued Europe from the brink of despair the previous day when he birdied the last five holes to earn him and Rory McIlroy an amazing win over Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson in the final fourball of the day. That helped Europe cut the overnight deficit to 10-6 when all was beginning to look lost. McIlroy was involved in more drama on Sunday as he got his tee-time mixed up and arrived at Medinah just 10 minutes before his match with Keegan Bradley. It made no difference as he beat the American 2&1. Justin Rose produced the finish of the day as he birdied the last two holes - nailing a 50-footer at 17 - to snatch a one-hole victory over Phil Mickelson.

Francesco Molinari and Jose Maria Olazabal celebrate after the victory Dustin Johnson finally got a point on the board for the home side as he beat Nicolas Colsaerts, and 2010 hero Graeme McDowell slumped to defeat to Zach Johnson. Jason Dufner held off a spirited fightback from Peter Hanson, but Lee Westwood looked back to his best in a 3&2 win over Matt Kuchar and Sergio Garcia pipped Jim Furyk at the 18th after the American bogeyed the last two holes. All eyes turned to Kaymer's battle with Stricker as they arrived on the 17th tee all square, and the German rattled in a tricky four-footer for par to take the lead. USA 13.5 Europe 14.5 Ryder Cup 2012: American media blast team after Medinah defeat | Daily Mail Online comments The American press wasted no time in lambasting Team USA after Europe claimed a remarkable Ryder Cup comeback victory on Sunday. 'Epic Ryder Cup collapse on home turf inexcusable', was the headline in Monday's Chicago Tribune after Jose Maria Olazabal's side came from 10-6 down to win in Medinah.

'If the most epic Ryder Cup collapse ever ended at 5:09 p.m Sunday at Medinah when Team Europe golfer Martin Kaymer sank a 6-foot putt on the 18th hole, it started in earnest about two hours earlier,' wrote the Tribune in reference to Justin Rose's remarkable win over Ryder Cup veteran Phil Mickelson. Happy feet: The European team celebrate after retaining the Ryder Cup with a famous victory Contrasting fortunes: Mickelson was beaten by Rose despite after the Englishman netted consecutive birdies Rose made back-to-back birdies at the final two holes to turn his match and the tournament on its head. The New York Times paid tribute to the European team, comparing their victory to America's triumph at Brookline in 1999. 'It was a draining afternoon, and a draining week. But it produced, depending on one's perspective, the most remarkable comeback or collapse in the 85-year history of the Ryder Cup. Missed putt: Jim Furyk reacts after losing to Sergio Garcia at the final hole 'In 1999, in Brookline, the American team rallied from a 10-6 deficit at the start of the final day.

On Sunday, the Europeans found themselves in the same predicament, down by 10-6 with 12 singles matches remaining. 'But unlike the Americans in 1999, the Europeans had to fight back on the road, with the crowd of more than 40,000 applauding their gaffes and sometimes taunting them as they walked close to the ropes on their way from green to tee.' End of the American dream: Team USA reflect on their defeat The 39th Ryder Cup went down to the wire, with Martin Kaymer prevailing over Steve Stricker in Sunday's penultimate group. And The Washington Post believed the Cup could easily have returned to American soil, writing: 'It was so close, so tense, that either side could have won the Ryder Cup down to the very end.' USA Today chose to focus on the winless pair of Stricker and Tiger Woods, with the latter conceding a three-foot putt to Francesco Molinari on the 18th and with it the outright win for Europe. 'Instead of celebrating, the Americans were left to console each other and ponder how Stricker and Woods went winless.

Or ponder how the US won just three of 15 holes when nine of the matches got to the final two holes. Or ponder how their wonderful play on Friday and Saturday turned sour.' Daily Wrap-up: Day three, Ryder Cup Daily Wrap-up: Day three, Ryder Cup Ehrmann/Getty Images Martin Kaymer made a par putt on the 18th hole at Medinah to secure the victory for Europe. September 30, 2012 Staff and wire reports MEDINAH, Ill. -- Erasing some of their worst Ryder Cup memories, the Europeans wore the image of Seve Ballesteros on their sleeves and played their hearts out Sunday at Medinah to match the greatest comeback in history and head home with that precious gold trophy. RYDER CUP Past results Europe got its payback for Brookline, when the Americans roared back from the same 10-6 deficit. This rally was even more remarkable, carried out before a raucous American crowd that began their chants of "USA!" some three hours before the first match got under way.

Jose Maria Olazabal squeezed his eyes and fought back tears when Kaymer holed a 6-foot par putt to beat Steve Stricker and give Europe the point it needed to keep the cup. This was the first Ryder Cup since Ballesteros, the soul of European golf in this event, died last May of a brain tumor. Olazabal wanted his team to wear navy blue, Seve's favorite color, and added a clever touch -- his iconic silhouette on the sleeves of their shirts. "This one is for all of Europe," Olazabal said. "Seve will always be present with this team. He was a big factor for this event for the European side, and last night when we were having that meeting, I think the boys understood that believing was the most important thing. And I think they did." Tiger Woods missed a 3-foot par putt on the 18th hole, and then conceded a par to Francesco Molinari of about that length to halve their match. That extra half-point made it a clear-cut win for Europe, 14.5-13.5. Woods and Stricker, the anchors in the lineup, didn't win a single match at Medinah.

Ian Poulter was the first to embrace Olazabal, which was only fitting. It was Poulter who gave Europe hope Saturday evening when he made five straight birdies to turn a loss into a win and swing momentum in Europe's favor. Poulter was up to his fist-pumping, eye-bulging tricks again on the final day, winning the last two holes in his match against U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson . And he had plenty of help. Europe's top five players in the lineup all won, including Rory McIlroy , who was lucky to be playing. McIlroy thought his match was at 12:25 p.m. -- it was listed in Eastern time, not Central -- and needed a police escort to get to the course with 10 minutes to spare. Then, he came up with key birdies to hand Keegan Bradley his first loss of the week. The biggest match might have belonged to Justin Rose .

He was on the verge of losing to Phil Mickelson when Rose holed a 12-foot par putt to halve the 16th, made a 35-foot birdie putt from the back of the 17th green to win the hole, and then closed out Mickelson with a 12-foot birdie on the last hole. Six of the 12 matches went to the 18th hole on Sunday. The Americans won only one of them. The Americans also rallied from a four-point deficit to win in 1999 at Brookline. This was different, though. The Americans won big in those early matches. At Medinah, so many of them could have gone either way. It was so close, so tense, that either side could have won the Ryder Cup down to the very end. Stricker made an 8-foot par putt on the 18th, and Kaymer faced a par putt from 6 feet to win the match. If he missed, the Americans would get a half-point, and Woods was leading 1-up over Molinari and in the middle of the 18th fairway. Kaymer, a former No.

1 and major champion who has struggled all year, poured it in the middle and the celebration was on. He could barely speak at this point, not so much from pure emotion but having to scream over the crowd behind him. Players were hugging and crying, and the small European contingent that had been drowned out all week was serenading themselves with what has become the theme song of the Ryder Cup. "Ole, ole, ole, ole," they sang merrily, even as the teams prepared for the closing ceremony. Europe now has won seven of the last nine Ryder Cups, and even more remarkable about this comeback is that they did it on the road. Davis Love III became the first U.S. captain to sit every player at least once before Sunday, wanting them to be fresh for the decisive day. Instead, the Americans faltered at the end -- especially Jim Furyk and Stricker, two of his captain's picks. "The plan worked the first two days," he said. "It just didn't work today." The only U.S. points came from Dustin Johnson , who went 3-0 in this Ryder Cup, Zach Johnson and unheralded Jason Dufner . "We're all kind of stunned," Love said.

"We know what it feels like now from the `99 Ryder Cup. It's a little bit shocking. We were playing so well, we figured it didn't matter how we sent them out there. We got a couple of matches flipped there in the middle that cost us." Love thought all along the Ryder Cup would be decided in the ninth match by Dufner. It was most appropriate that Europe won the cup thanks to Kaymer. Kaymer gave German golf some redemption from Kiawah Island in 1991, when countryman Bernhard Langer missed a par putt from about the same length that allowed the Americans to win. "It's a feeling I never had before," Kaymer said. "On Friday, I sat down with Bernhard and talked a little bit about the Ryder Cup because my attitude was not the right one. But now I know how important the Ryder Cup is." Don't Miss This

Question: Which golfer sank a six foot putt to retain the Ryder Cup for Europe in 2012?
Answer: MARTIN KAYMER